Hey there! I just found your blog via Facebook and looked it over. Great job from what I read through, I enjoy your humor.

I really doubt I could write something myself that would fit your format but maybe you might be able to use this?

If you would please take a moment to head to www.yfu-usa.orgto get a heads up about what I am proposing. My wife and I hosted a foreign exchange student last school year who went to Valley, and we are doing so again for this school year. I know for a fact that there are 16 kids still waiting for a family in Western PA. Four of them fly the week of Aug. 8th, 4 the week of Aug. 16th, and the rest the week of Aug. 22nd. I feel bad for them, especially the ones that fly early because they still have no idea where they are going and haven’t gotten any time to get to know their family. Unfortunately we can’t host more than one. Our first student from last school year said she was starting to feel like no one wanted her since lots of the other kids she had met already had families. We didn’t choose her until close to her arrival time because we hadn’t even considered hosting until early August. I told her people were just saving her for us. Perhaps you could put the word out that there is a need? A reference to the website, or (866) 4YFU USA would be great.

I understand completely if this doesn’t fit your blog and there are no hard feelings – just an idea and I’m trying to get the word out for these kids.

Thanks for your consideration,

Chris

We responded to Chris, and let him know we'd be happyto spread the word.

He then sent us another email, with more info...

HOST FAMILIES NEEDED

Youth for Understanding, one of the nation's oldest, largest and most respected international exchange programs is looking for host families for the 2010-2011 school year. Create incredible memories for your family while giving a young person from another country (Brazil, Japan, Germany, or more than 50 countries) the opportunity to learn about America. Through this exchange, everyday experiences take a new and exciting twist - American traditions gain deeper meaning as your family introduces them to your new son or daughter; a casual family chat about world events reveals new perspectives you may never have considered; the dinner table includes exotic new dishes as your exchange students cooks up a taste of home for all to sample. It's a great education and it is lots of fun too! YFU host families represent diverse nationalities, occupations and religious backgrounds and live in cities, towns and rural areas. Our families embody the rich diversity of American culture and include: Empty Nesters, Couples with and without Children, Single People, Single Parents, Working Parents, Younger and Older Parents. As a host you will: Welcome your new son or daughter as a member of your family; Help your student adapt to your family and to US life and culture; and provide a safe and loving home environment including a bed, a place to study and three meals a day. Students have their own personal spending money. To learn more about this opportunity visit www.yfu-usa.org - or call Kaiti at 412-200-5669 or Alka at (866) 493-8872, x1107.

Thursday, July 29, 2010

There is a mystery sign around here, that showsup at certain times, and certain days.

We think we know the purpose of this thing.

But we would like to hear your theories.

Maybe you know exactly what it's for?Maybe you know exactly what it's for, and youwant to make something up?Maybe you have no idea?Maybe you are funny, and want to write something?Maybe you won't do crap?

Whatever the case, we hope you decide to participate.

Here is the picture...

You can leave a comment here, or wait until we make ourdaily post on facebook, and comment on it.

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Every now and again, we hear about a cause sogreat, we feel the need to take action.

This is one of those times, and one of those emails...

Livestrong Challenge - Philly

Dear NewK. Thank you for taking interest in my fund-raising effort for the 2010 Livestrong Challenge in Philadelphia, PA on August 22, 2010. I will be riding a 100 mile course through the greater-Philly area in support of this GREAT cause! Any help advertising, donations, or simple "good lucks" are GREATLY APPRECIATED! I have included a form letter and link to my personal donation page below (I am trying to raise $250, however there is no cut off in the amount I can raise). Thank you all for the help and support, I'll be sure to send you some pictures of the event after I'm all wrapped up with everything (maybe I can rock a I <3 Biff shirt after I'm all finished as well...wink wink hint hint...or throw a NewK decal on my bike or helmet for the ride).

Thank you again!!!

--

Join me for the LIVESTRONG Challenge Philly on August 22, 2010 and pick a fight with cancer.

The LIVESTRONG Challenge is LIVESTRONG's signature fund-raising event inspired by the hope, courage and determination that exist in all of us. We take to the streets on bikes and on our feet, uniting individuals to stand together to fight cancer.

For the 2010 LIVESTRONG Challenge, Zack Harris will be riding 100 miles through the greater Philly area and is hoping to raise at least $250 to support cancer prevention, provide access to screening and care, fund research, and enhance the quality of life for cancer survivors everywhere. Your donation of any amount is one more powerful weapon in the crucial fight against cancer.

Through the dollars and awareness that we raise, we will inspire and empower individuals, and we will make life better for the more than 28 million people worldwide who are living with cancer. We look forward to having you unite with us as a partner in our fight.

Monday, July 26, 2010

Friday, July 23, 2010

Yesterday, we knew we'd have a tough time making today'spost, so we asked for some help.

The response was awesome.

Thanks to everyone that wrote something.

You will all be featured soon enough.

And feel free to write something yourself, and emailit to thenewkblog@gmail.com.

Anyways, here is the email we decided to post today:

Confessions Of A Teenage Newk Drama Queen

Born and raised in the Newk, I thought I'd share my memories from the 80s.

I remember WWF wrestling coming to Valley High School.I remember shopping for penny candy before going into Valley Middle School.I remember when the Valley Drama club had a budget of $12 and a musical wasn't even an option!I remember the day Bill Callahan got drafted by the Steelers.I remember marching in the band across the C.L.Schmidt bridge, with it swaying the whole time.I remember how we all went to Ben's to get satin varsity jackets.I remember my grandfather growing a beard to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of New Kensington.I remember when there were OPTIONS to go swimming locally, Crystal Springs and Melwood.I remember a really stupid rumor about cocaine in the pizza sauce at Crystal Springs (hey, we were 12, we believed it.)I remember going to Jack's restaurant in Sarver and checking out the bison.I remember Italian Burritos at Al's Tavern, burger's at Andy's Restaurant and Syrian bread from Bitars but my dad would never shut up about the fries and gravy at the Rustic Inn.

I remember shopping in downtown New Kensington. (Seriously.)

I remember our dads playing in softball tournaments at Falcon's Park, while the kids scoured the creek looking for crawfish.I remember hoping "Saint A's" would still be open when I turned 21. (It wasn't.)I remember buying school shoes at Don Miller Shoes but more importantly, buying Kennywood shoes and a new outfit.

I remember my childhood in this city and the ones surrounding it, and I remember how much I loved it here. I loved it so much that I have stayed, raised my own drama queen here and no amount of bad press will make me leave. Hope you enjoyed my ramblings from the 80's...May the Newk be with You.

Thursday, July 15, 2010

There are two must-do events this weekend, thatyou really should look into.

Let's get right to it, shall we?

Event #1

Mt. Vernon Neighborhood Yard Sales(Yes, it's that time of year.)

MOUNT VERNON (New Kensington) ANNUAL NEIGHBORHOOD YARD SALE will be SATURDAY JULY 17, from 8:00 AM until approx 3PM. We do this every year, always the THIRD Saturday in July! Usually 100 PLUS HOMES will participate in the neighborhood. This will include Pleasant, Argonne, Center, Keystone, Pershing, Riverview, Rainbow, Spring, Summit, Vernon, Westview, Summit and Greenridge and more...includes the WHOLE AREA! COME SEE WHAT YOU CAN FIND! Lots of household items, FURNITURE, FOOD, toys, books, kids clothes, whatever you might be looking for! (Always the third Saturday in July) This is the Mount Vernon Neighborhood in New Kensington, PA.~~~ go to Google maps...type in "Argonne Drive, New Kensington" (or any of the above mentioned streets) NEW KENSINGTON,PA.

~

And what better way to start off your shopping extravaganza,than with all you can eat pancake breakfast, at theEKCC, just down the road?

Seriously, there is no better way.

(Well, there are the yummy hot dogs on Pleasant Ave.,every year. We love that guy.)He is the original Mt. Vernon Yard Sale hot dog guy, as if you didn't already know that.

So here are the pancake details...

Event #2

All You Can Eat Pancake BreakfastDate: Saturday, July 17, 2010Time: 7:30am - 12:30pmLocation: East Kensington Community Circle (EKCC)Street: Corner of Powers Drive and 7th Street

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Although, yes, it is Embrace Your Geekness Day, that'snot what we are talking about.

It's demolition day for the old turnpike bridge in Harmar.

Hell yeah.

So at 10am this morning, 200 pounds of explosives will beused to blow a huge chunk of bridge out (the truss), and sendit careening out of control, into the innocently murkywaters of the Allegheny River below.

Thursday, July 8, 2010

We will still take the time to type out a whole post,dedicated to having nothing to say about thatexact subject.

We will then post a link on our facebook page about it,and have you take time from your important day, toclick on that link, and realize we just wasted a few minutesof your life, that could have been productive.

Will we feel remorse for these actions?

Negative.

Why not?

Because secretly, we are terrible people.

We have been setting you up for this moment, for thelast 17 or so months that we've been at this.

It's all been a huge ruse.

Are you being serious?

No, not really.

Editor's Note:

I have decided to take over this post, and end it beforewe bore you any further. I apologize for this inconvenience,and hope today's actions don't deter you from readingour little website. Any concerns should be voiced via emailto thenewkblog@gmail.com

About theNEWK

We are here to give you an insiders look at New Kensington, Pa. and the areas that surround it. Everything from event and restaurant reviews, to local personality profiles and news updates. Feel free to poke around, and leave a comment.